"Victor Sanchez has been big time for us this season," UNM head coach Ray Birmingham said. "He's a New Mexico boy who keeps getting better."

The Albuquerque native had a hand in two of UNM's wins over the Bulldogs. He earned his first career save by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning in Friday's 9-7 come-from-behind win. He needed only 11 pitches to retire Fresno State, and he recorded a strikeout in the process.

Sanchez got the win in Sunday's 6-4 contest by pitching the final 2.1 innings. He came on in relief of starter Josh Walker and stranded a man on third in the seventh. He did not allow a run and struck out three as UNM scored two in the ninth to pull out the victory.

"It was a huge weekend for us," the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder said. "After dropping two of three (against UNLV) last week it was important to take it to Fresno to show that we're still a dangerous team and that we're only going to get better as the season continues."

This is the first career honor for Sanchez, who has been one of the leaders on the Lobos' stellar pitching staff. His 1.15 ERA is the lowest on the team out of any pitcher who has thrown at least 7.0 innings. His record is 2-0, he has struck out 17 in 15.2 innings, and he has allowed only six hits all season to hold opponents to a .118 batting average.

This is the second Pitcher of the Week honor for a Lobo this season. Walker also won the award following his shutout of Missouri State on Feb. 23.